AGP Executive Report

MacArthur “Genius Grant”: Texas State anthropology professor Kate Spradley was named a 2026 MacArthur Fellow, winning an $800,000 prize to keep her Operation ID work moving—helping identify and repatriate unidentified remains found near the Texas border. Public Safety & Courts: U.S. Marshals arrested two fugitives tied to a 2024 Cleveland murder—Ronald Thomas and Brittny Kirby—after tracking Thomas in Arkansas and locating Kirby in Georgia. Roads & Weather: ARDOT is suspending fall mowing in areas hit by severe drought to reduce wildfire risk, with crews reassessing conditions as drought levels change. Healthcare in the Natural State: Air Methods announced a new rotor-wing air medical program with Pafford Medical Services for Southern Arkansas, and LifeNet Air Medical Services began a partnership with Metro Aviation, adding in-house air dispatch in Hot Springs. Local History & Culture: The Broadway Bridge’s 10th anniversary story highlights how Little Rock’s river crossings evolved from the “Free Bridge” era. Sports (Arkansas focus): Arkansas plays Texas A&M Saturday night in College Station as both teams chase SEC momentum.

Crater of Diamonds Discovery: A Navy reservist and TikTok livestreamer says he struck a 6.03-carat diamond at Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park that collectors value at up to $1 million, with at least one appraiser estimating about $250,000—still the biggest find of the year. Abortion Pill Lawsuit: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin joined Alabama and Louisiana in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down “abortion shield” protections that allow medication abortion pills to be mailed across state lines. Little Rock Public Radio: Little Rock’s “Little Rock 2030: Forward Together” plan was unveiled, and local updates include jail staffing changes after an inmate death, a maternal health grant announcement, and Conway Corp. pausing outdoor watering in Faulkner County. Sports (Arkansas): Arkansas golf hosts the Blessings Collegiate Invitational this weekend, while the Razorbacks head to Texas A&M for a Week 5 matchup with ESPN2 coverage and a rain-heavy forecast. Community & Culture: Women’s Foundation of Arkansas and Little Rock Soirée released the 2026 Top 100 Women of Arkansas list.

Health & Public Safety: Arkansas Drug Take Back Day is set for Oct. 24, with law enforcement events in every county and year-round drop boxes to help residents safely dispose of unused or expired meds. Healthcare & Accountability: The Arkansas State Medical Board revoked a Clarksville psychiatrist’s license after finding gross negligence tied to prescriptions for opioid use disorder patients. Local Impact: Fayetteville’s Bryce Davis Park reopened after about three years of improvements, including upgrades guided by community input. Education & Workforce: Arkansas State University will dedicate the Dash Goff Equine Center—Nodouble Barn on Oct. 8 for hands-on training for DVM students. Economy & Families: Arkansas paid $1.23 billion in Social Security benefits to in-state beneficiaries in December 2024, up 4.9% from the year before. Sports (Arkansas ties): Texas A&M looks to rebound as it hosts Arkansas, with the focus on tightening up offensive consistency. Community & Civic Life: A voter guide breaks down Arkansas’ four ballot issues as election season ramps up.

Local Accountability: Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder fired nine jail employees after a preliminary review of an inmate death, ordered immediate retraining, and said Arkansas State Police and the state crime lab are still investigating. Water Restrictions: Conway Corp. will suspend all outdoor watering starting Oct. 5 as drought curtailment continues, allowing only hand-watering while keeping other Phase 3 limits in place. Public Safety Tech: Saline County became the first Arkansas agency to use Rapid DNA, starting Sept. 23 to speed DNA matching against CODIS for qualifying arrestees. Health Care Expansion: UAMS says it’s ready to open its Saline County hospital operations today and is already planning expansion, including more operating rooms and clinic space. Education Policy: The Trump administration proposed a federal scholarship tax credit that could let families use taxpayer-funded help for private school and homeschooling in most states. Abortion Courts: Arkansas, Alabama and Louisiana asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block “abortion shield laws” in New York, California and Massachusetts.

Arkansas Football at Texas A&M: Razorbacks head to Kyle Field with momentum after snapping a 12-game FBS skid vs. Tulsa, and the latest SEC availability report has linebacker Bradley Shaw expected to be available while Texas A&M WR Mario Craver is listed questionable. Energy & Jobs: The U.S. Energy Department awarded Entergy $13.7 million to strengthen the regional power grid across Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Jonesboro Growth: Sany Nutrition Group held a ribbon cutting at its new Crunch Bar facility in the former Butterball plant, with a $30 million investment and plans for 150+ jobs. Healthy Aging in the Natural State: St. Bernards hosted a Mind and Memory Boot Camp in Jonesboro as part of Healthy Aging Month, highlighting how art activities may support cognition. Politics & Policy: Arkansas, Alabama and Louisiana AGs joined a U.S. Supreme Court fight over abortion “shield laws,” while Arkansas lawmakers advanced work aimed at easing prison overcrowding through better reentry support. Food Insecurity Push: The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture is launching a statewide effort to improve access to food, citing Arkansas’s high food insecurity rate.

Education Update: Arkansas released 2025–2026 school and district letter grades, with officials saying statewide performance improved and fewer districts landed in the lowest categories, pointing to LEARNS-era supports like literacy coaches, targeted reading/math plans, and expanded tutoring. Energy & Agriculture: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed an order temporarily allowing qualifying farmers and timber operators to use dyed diesel on certain highway vehicles, suspending related state taxes and penalties from Sept. 30 through Oct. 30 amid rising fuel costs. Public Safety: Arkansas State Police reported a fatal head-on motorcycle crash in Viola, where a 32-year-old man died after his vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic. Local Business: Jonesboro-based SANY says its first product is headed to Walmart shelves this week, after ramping up production at the former Butterball facility and planning more shifts and new projects. Sports (Arkansas): Sulphur High’s Lady Bulldogs won the team title at the OSU Cowboy Jamboree, while Arkansas athletes also posted notable results across cross country and other fall events. Politics & Debate: A new wave of criticism is swirling around Sanders’ welfare-to-work messaging, with opponents arguing the ad leans on a “young white man” stereotype.

Diesel Relief for Farmers: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed an order letting Arkansas farmers and loggers use untaxed red-dyed diesel on state highways through Oct. 30, aiming to cut harvest-season costs. Courts & Public Safety: Faulkner County set pretrial hearings for two former Conway School District maintenance workers charged with felony theft. Arkansas State Police also are investigating a fatal shooting in Malvern where a father allegedly shot his son during a dispute. Crime Lab Upgrade: Saline County deputies began using rapid DNA testing at the jail, with Faulkner County next, speeding up genetic searches for matches. Education & Health: UAMS invested Chancellor C. Lowry Barnes in a distinguished chair role, while Arkansas State University received a $2.2 million NSF grant to study drought tolerance in rice and wheat. Community & Local Life: Cave City opened a new Main Street pocket park, and the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society cut adoption fees for “Empty the Shelters.” Sports: KJ Jackson’s 300-yard passing day helped Arkansas beat Tulsa 34-6, and Arkansas State volleyball continues MIAA play this week.

Arkansas Politics: A Pulaski County judge is weighing whether to dismiss a constitutional challenge to Arkansas’ near-total abortion ban after hearing arguments from plaintiffs and the state. Local Governance: Little Rock Public Radio reports a Central Arkansas judge rejected a proposed settlement between the state board of corrections and the governor’s office. Business & Jobs: The Quapaw Nation named Rod Centers CEO of Pine Bluff’s Saracen Casino Resort and confirmed the ouster of two top executives. Infrastructure: The Port of Little Rock won a $4.5 million federal grant to improve access to its industrial park. Public Safety: Arkansas’ Division of Emergency Management director AJ Gary announced he’ll retire Nov. 1 after more than a decade. Weather: A “triple flood threat” is prompting urgent warnings across multiple states, with forecasts suggesting heavy rain could reach Arkansas this week. Sports (Arkansas): UAPB is back from a bye and hosts Southern for homecoming Saturday. Community: Motley’s Farm in south Little Rock is gearing up for its pumpkin and Christmas season, running through early December.

Maumelle Crash: Police identified Tracy Long, 59, as the woman killed after a driver crashed an SUV into a Waffle House; Ranisha Peebles, 34, was arrested and faces negligent homicide and DWI-related charges. Local Politics: Maumelle voters will choose a new mayor in five weeks, with challenger Neil Allen running against Mayor Caleb Norris, both citing public safety and fiscal responsibility. Attorney General: AG Tim Griffin’s Fraud and Consumer Protection Summit opened in Little Rock with 800+ registrants, focusing on scams, benefit fraud, robocalls, and identity theft. Public Safety Tech: Harrisburg Mayor Justin Kimble covered Flock license-plate cameras with garbage bags after resident concerns about tracking and privacy. State Courts: A judge is weighing arguments in a lawsuit challenging Arkansas’ abortion ban, with the case set for its first hearing. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports show diesel and gas prices fluctuating across Arkansas counties in the week ending Sept. 19, with some of the lowest diesel prices landing in Logan County. Community Health & Education: Arkansas Imagination Library received a $60,000 grant to sustain its Northwest Arkansas book program long-term.

Emergency Management: Arkansas Division of Emergency Management Director AJ Gary will retire Nov. 1 after more than a decade leading disaster response and modernizing statewide systems like WebEOC. Education & Workforce: UA Little Rock received nearly $3 million from the U.S. Department of Education to build an interprofessional, AI-powered simulation center (PRISM) to help students practice real-world skills before internships and jobs. Local Economy & Retail: Walmart says its new digital shelf labels won’t use personal data like income or shopping history to set prices. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports the cheapest regular gas in Garland County at $3.45/gal for the week ending Sept. 19, with the county average at $3.92. Sports (Arkansas): Yuna Nishimura won the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship by five shots for her first LPGA title. Business/Industry: Smackover Lithium amended its offtake deal for the South West Arkansas Project, adding up to 4,000 metric tonnes of battery-quality lithium carbonate per year.

LPGA in Rogers: Yuna Nishimura won the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship by five shots, going wire-to-wire at Pinnacle Country Club for her first LPGA title, finishing 21-under after a final-round 5-under 66. Arkansas sports: The Razorbacks shut out Auburn 1-0 as freshman Lauren Van Rhein scored the lone goal, keeping Arkansas unbeaten at home in SEC play. Local crime: A Little Rock man, Randy Carter Jr., was arrested on attempted murder charges tied to a September 2025 North Little Rock shooting that injured two people. Traffic tragedy: A Blytheville man died in a rollover crash on U.S. 61 in Mississippi County, according to Arkansas State Police. Public safety: The American Red Cross chapter in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas shared low-cost ways to prepare for emergencies during National Preparedness Month. Walmart policy: Walmart says it isn’t using personal information to set prices as it expands digital shelf labels.

Arkansas Politics: Arkansas Republicans are leaning hard on Trump-style messaging in TV ads that name-check national culture-war targets rather than the president himself, aiming to energize the base ahead of November. Workforce & AI: Former Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is co-chairing RAISE US, a new nonprofit backed by $500M in commitments to help states and employers retrain workers for an AI-driven economy, with initial partnerships that include Arkansas. Healthcare Rules: As Medicaid work requirements begin in January, at least six states—including Arkansas—will require medical proof for illness-based work exemptions instead of accepting a person’s sworn statement. LPGA in Rogers: Lauren Coughlin made LPGA history by opening with nine straight birdies at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, while Yuna Nishimura surged with a 63 to lead after two rounds. Local Sports: Arkansas State held off Kennesaw State 17-14 on a late game-winning field goal by Clune Van Andel. Community & Safety: A Sherwood teacher was charged with DWI after police say she left a crash scene involving a student and showed signs of intoxication on campus. Arts: Crystal Bridges is featuring “Keith Haring in 3D,” spotlighting the artist’s bold, public-facing style.

LPGA in Rogers: Lauren Coughlin made LPGA history at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, opening with nine straight birdies and finishing her front nine in 26 before settling on a career-best 61. LPGA leaderboard: Yuna Nishimura also surged with nine birdies of her own to shoot an 8-under 63 and hold a five-shot lead heading into the weekend’s final stretch. Arkansas football vs. Tulsa: The Hogs host undefeated Tulsa in a streaming-only matchup, with Arkansas dealing with defensive absences at linebacker and Tulsa missing starting QB Baylor Hayes. Local sports roundup: Henderson State dominated the All-Arkansas Invite with a near-top finish from both its men’s and women’s swim teams, while Central Arkansas volleyball earned its first win of the season in a five-set thriller. Business & accountability in Pine Bluff: Saracen Casino Resort is moving to fire top executives after a Quapaw Nation authority voted to terminate them over alleged conflicts and financial mismanagement. Health policy watch: Across the U.S., Medicaid work requirements are starting to tighten, and some states are demanding medical documentation sooner than federal rules require.

Arkansas Soccer: The Razorbacks are trying to lock in consistency after a 2-2 draw with Georgia, and they host Auburn Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Razorback Field. College Football (Arkansas vs. Tulsa): Arkansas looks to steady its season tonight against Tulsa, with the Golden Hurricane seeking a second straight win and Arkansas hoping to fix an offense that’s struggled to run the ball. Local Education (UAM): UAM’s School of Education is partnering with Drew Central Elementary to launch a Literary and Math Learning Lab Classroom, giving teacher candidates hands-on teaching experience. Gas Prices (Arkansas): Diesel hit a low of $5.78 in Howard County (week ending Sept. 19), while E15 lows included $3.24 in Benton County and $3.84 in Union County. History & Culture: A new look at the 1968 song “Long Line Rider” ties Arkansas prison scandals to popular music.

Farm Bill 2.0: U.S. Sen. John Boozman says his staff is already talking with House and Senate counterparts to get Farm Bill 2.0 negotiations moving in October, aiming for a final package after the midterms. Rural economy: Arkansas approved a $5 million bridge loan to help Jonesboro’s Delta Peanut process this year’s harvest after the USDA pulled its warehouse bond. Health funding: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced $54.6 million in rural health grants statewide, including workforce and residency support in Northeast Arkansas. Work requirements: Arkansas DHS is rolling out outreach ahead of ARHOME work requirements starting Jan. 1, 2027, with county-specific videos and ready-to-use materials for community groups. Public safety tech: Camden is ending its Flock Safety license plate reader contract amid transparency concerns, joining other Arkansas agencies that have paused or canceled similar programs. Little Rock history: On Sept. 25, 1957, the Little Rock Nine were escorted into Central High School by federal troops, a turning point in the civil rights movement. GLP-1 drug safety: AG Lynn Fitch joined a multi-state letter urging safeguards against low-quality or unsafe foreign pharmaceutical ingredients entering the U.S. supply chain.

Arkansas Football: Razorbacks host Tulsa Saturday night under the home lights (7 p.m., SEC Network+), with Arkansas a 7-point favorite and looking to avoid becoming another notch on Tulsa’s belt. Local Sports & Community: Arkansas State and other regional teams keep rolling through volleyball and soccer matchups, including A-State exercise science programs earning STEM designation at Arkansas State University. Education & Health: Arkansas Imagination Library expands with a $60,000 grant, while UAMS gets $5 million for rural health initiatives and Howard Memorial Hospital approved its 2027 operating and capital budget. Infrastructure & Environment: Northwest Arkansas National Airport is moving ahead with a nearly $79 million Western Concourse expansion, and Arkansas River water standards are in the spotlight as agencies discuss temperature rules below Pueblo Dam. Business & Policy: Arkansas leaders prepare for census undercount concerns, and a new push targets Medicaid fraud enforcement across the state. Energy & Costs: Gas prices in Little River County hit a low of $4.49 for midgrade, while mortgage rates remain a strain after Wisconsin saw a sharp jump.